The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral eye disorder, and right ring finger degenerative joint disease with osteochondroma, status post fracture and surgery were denied. The claim for hypertension was rated as noncompensably disabling.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to service. Service connection for bilateral eye disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is REMANDED. The claim for right ring finger degenerative joint disease with osteochondroma, status post fracture and surgery was denied as there was no evidence of amputation or proximal interphalangeal joint involvement. The claim for right little finger degenerative joint disease was not addressed due to the Veteran's failure to appeal this issue on his VA Form 9. The claim for right foot plantar fasciitis resulted in a noncompensable rating as there was no evidence of a moderately severe injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Eye Disorder, Hypertension, Right Ring Finger Degenerative Joint Disease with Osteochondroma, Status Post Fracture and Surgery, Right Little Finger Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2015
- Citation
- 1527073
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1527073.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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